New York Space Grant Consortium

Summary

Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Rebecca Koopmann,
continues to lead Union College's participation in activities sponsored
by the New York Space Grant Consortium. This $10,000 takes Union into
it's third year of affiliation with the NASA NYSG. The grant helps
support undergraduate summer research students, as well as travel by
students to present their research and to support outreach programs to
local secondary and middle-school students and faculty. Entering the
2010-11 grant period, the funds will again support summer research
students, travel and outreach. Specifically, the Union College program
seeks to provide information, training and experience to a diverse group
of students, enhancing their skills and knowledge so they can make
educated choices regarding their future in STEM disciplines. To meet
this goal, our objectives are: (i) to provide as many opportunities as
possible for undergraduate students to participate in a STEM research
project; (ii) to increase participation of under-represented groups;
(iii) to provide opportunities to present research findings at regional
and national forums; (iv) to provide training in oral and written
communication and research ethics; and (v) to provide information
relating to career opportunities in STEM fields.